Make-up type case comprising an articulated lid

ABSTRACT

This application relates to a case ( 1 ) comprising a bottom ( 2 ) and a lid ( 4 ) capable, at least prior to first use, of pivoting with respect to the bottom so as to be positioned underneath the latter, the bottom ( 2 ) being hinged about a first axis (A 1 ) with respect to an intermediate element ( 20 ), the latter being hinged with respect to the lid ( 4 ) about a second axis (A 2 ), locking means (B 1 , B 2 , C) being capable of locking the lid ( 4 ) with respect to the intermediate element ( 20 ) when the latter pivots with respect to the bottom ( 2 ) about the axis (A 1 ), and of locking the bottom ( 2 ) with respect to the intermediate element ( 20 ) when the latter pivots with respect to the lid ( 4 ) about the axis (A 2 ).

The present invention relates to a case, particularly of the makeup casetype, which can be closed by a hinged lid. Such a makeup case generallycomprises two parts, a bottom and a lid, hinged one on the other, bymeans of at least one hinge. In general, this case is intended tocontain one or more friable products of pasty, liquid or pulverulantconsistency, such as an eyeshadow, a rouge, a blusher or a foundation.Customarily, cases are marketed with the product it contains offered ina broad range of different shades.

Hence, the consumer, in order to be able to choose makeup of the desiredshade, is frequently obliged to take the case out of its packaging andopen it to check the colour of the product.

With a view to seeing, at the point of sale, the shade of a makeupproduct, immediately, document U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,820 proposes a makeupcase, the structure of which allows the lid to be pivoted through 360°with respect to the bottom so as to place the lid underneath the bottomof the case. In this position, the case can be packaged in transparentpackaging, of the blister pack kind, or of the heat shrink film kind.Hence, the case can be displayed in boutiques or shops and occupy theminimum amount of space.

In the aforementioned document, the connection between the bottom andthe lid is by a multiple hinge structure. Specifically, the bottom ofthe case according to document U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,820 is hinged to anintermediate element by means of a hinge with an attached hinge pin, thelid for its part being hinged to this intermediate element by a filmhinge. At the time of first closure of the case by the user, theintermediate element is immobilized with respect to the lid, so that thefilm hinge is inoperative during opening/closing operations performedduring the remainder of the time that the case is in use.

The structure of the case according to document U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,820has a certain number of disadvantages. Specifically, when the lid isconnected to the intermediate element by a film hinge, the lid has atendency to move elastically away from its position of maximum openingunder the bottom of the case and to return to the position in which thelid and the intermediate element were moulded. As a result, the lid isnot satisfactorily positioned under the bottom.

In actual fact, the foregoing occurs frequently, because of the elasticproperties of the material used to produce the parts which are joinedtogether by a film hinge. One material that allows such a structure witha film hinge to be produced is polypropylene. Now, a case made of such amaterial can only with difficulty exhibit an appearance consistent withwhat users are expecting of a luxury product. Furthermore, polypropyleneis not able to support certain decorations or finishes, such aslacquering, either.

Documents U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,978 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,159 describecases of the same kind in which the connection between the bottom andthe lid is via an intermediate element and a multiple hinge structure.There is no means provided for locking the lid with respect to theintermediate element when the latter pivots with respect to the bottom.

Hence, one of the objects of the present invention is to produce a caseof the abovementioned type, made in two parts hinged on one another, andwhich completely or partially solves the problems mentioned hereinabovewith reference to the case discussed earlier.

One particular object of the present invention is to produce a makeupcase which is hinged by means of a system of articulation that allowsthe product that it contains to be presented with the lid in a positionof maximum opening to 360° with respect to the bottom. Morespecifically, the subject of the invention is a case which allows thelid to be positioned reliably and stably in the 360°-open position withrespect to the bottom. In addition, the invention is aimed at a casewhich has reliable and durable operation over time. What is more, theinvention is aimed at a makeup case which is of satisfactory aestheticappearance, economical to produce and simple to use.

Other objects still will become apparent from the detailed descriptionwhich follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing acase, in particular a makeup case, comprising a bottom and a lidcapable, at least prior to first use, of pivoting with respect to thebottom so as to be positioned underneath the latter, the bottom beinghinged about a first axis A₁ with respect to an intermediate element,the latter being hinged with respect to the lid about a second axis A₂,locking means being capable of locking the lid with respect to theintermediate element when the latter pivots with respect to the bottomabout the axis A₁, and of locking the bottom with respect to theintermediate element when the latter pivots with respect to the lidabout the axis A₂.

Because of the ability of the lid to pivot through 360° with respect tothe bottom, the case can be displayed in the wide-open position so thatits contents are visible immediately to the user. Thus, in thiswide-open position, the case can be packaged in a transparent blisterand/or displayed at sales outlets. The method of packaging in a blister,folded back at 360°, has the advantage of being able to minimize thearea in which the case is stored.

As a preference, the locking means are carried, at least in part, by theintermediate element. The locking means are capable of engagingselectively with complementary first catching means carried by thebottom and with second catching means carried by the lid. Thus, in theposition in which the lid is positioned at 360° with respect to thebottom, folding the lid down onto the bottom into the closed position iscarried out by partial pivoting of the lid about the second axis, thenby partial pivoting about the first axis. The locking means, asappropriate, make it possible to render the first axis inoperative whenthe pivoting movement is about the second axis, and vice-versa.

According to a beneficial aspect of the invention, the intermediateelement has two longitudinal edges. These two edges are preferablyparallel to one another, the first axis of articulation being situatednear a first edge of the intermediate element. In consequence, thesecond axis is located near a second edge, opposite the first.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the case consists of a bottomand of a lid, formed as distinct parts, at least one of the axes beingformed by a hinge with an attached hinge pin. This has the advantagethat the bottom and the lid can be made of two different materials. As apreference, the bottom and the intermediate element are moulded as onefrom an economically viable material appropriate to the producing of afilm hinge, such as polypropylene or some other appropriate polyolefin.As far as the lid is concerned, this is connected, in this case, to theintermediate element, by a hinge with an attached hinge pin. The lidwhich constitutes the most visible part of the case, may be made of amaterial other than polypropylene and allowing particular decoration oflacquering to be performed, for example. By way of nonlimiting examplesof materials that can be used to make the lid, mention will be made ofacrylobutadienestyrene (ABS), polyacrylates, polystyrene,polyoxymethylene (POM) or polystyrene-acrylonitrile (SAN).

According to one particular embodiment, the locking means may compriseat least one member, such as a pip, located on at least one portion ofthe intermediate element, for example on at least one of the lateralsides of the intermediate element. This locking member is capable ofbeing engaged selectively in a complementary member, for example acorresponding housing, made in a portion of the bottom or in a portionof the lid, respectively. Alternatively, the reverse structure may beenvisaged. Thus, a first pip may be located on a portion of the bottom,a second pip being provided on a portion of the lid. In this case, theintermediate element has a housing capable, selectively, of receivingthe first or the second pip.

Advantageously, the locking of the bottom with respect to theintermediate element is irreversible. In this case, the intermediateelement is immobilized with respect to the bottom and the first axisbecomes inoperative. Only the pivoting of the lid on the intermediatepiece, about the second axis, is possible, this being over an angularportion which is restricted by comparison with the wide-open angle.

The case at which the invention is aimed is preferably produced in amore or less flat shape and defines a receptacle, delimiting at leastone compartment capable of containing a product, particularly a friableproduct such as a makeup product. Advantageously, the receptacle isshaped to also contain a member for applying the product. In addition,the lid may, on its inside, be equipped with a mirror, allowing the userto look at herself while applying makeup.

As appropriate, the case comprises means capable of allowing the lid tobe locked reversibly in the closed position on the bottom.

Apart from the provisions set out hereinabove the invention consists ina certain number of other provisions which will be explained hereinafterwith regard to some nonlimiting exemplary embodiments which aredescribed with reference to the appended figures, among which:

FIG. 1 a depicts a perspective view of a case of the makeup case typeaccording to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1 b depicts a view in cross section of the case of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate the case of FIG. 1 in the 360°-openposition;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b respectively depict a view in cross section and a viewin perspective of the case of FIG. 1, in a first portion of the movementof the lid from its wide-open position:

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b respectively depict a view in cross section and a viewin perspective of the case of FIG. 1 in a second portion of the movementof the lid from its wide-open position;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b respectively depict a view in cross section and a viewin perspective of the case of FIG. 1, in the closed position;

FIGS. 6 and 7 each show a detailed perspective view of the case of FIG.1; and

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b each show a partial perspective view of a caseaccording to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a and 2 b, a makeup caseaccording to a first embodiment of the invention is denoted by thereference 1. It is of roughly flat shape, as used in particular forpackaging makeup products, such as foundations, eyeshadows, blushers orother products of the same type.

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show the case in the position of use. In thisposition, the lid 4 is open to about 120° with respect to the bottom 2,allowing the user to pick up a dose of product P.

The case 1 is formed mainly from a bottom 2 and from a lid 4, mountedpivoting on the bottom, both obtained by moulding of one or morethermoplastic materials. The bottom 2 forms one or more compartmentsforming receptacles 2 a for one or more products P, particularly makeupproducts. As appropriate, one of the components may be used to house anapplicator allowing the product to be picked up and applied to thedesired point (not depicted).

The lid 4 has a depression 9 extending over a substantial part of itssurface, to accommodate a mirror 4 a. A clasp 4 b carried by the lid 4is capable of engaging with a corresponding member 2 b carried by thebottom 2 so as to reversibly lock the lid 4 on the bottom 2. Near thislocking member 2 b the bottom 2 forms a cutout 3 so as to make it easierto open the case 1.

The lid 4 is connected to the bottom 2 by means of an intermediateelement 20, of elongate shape, and having two longitudinal edges 21, 22.It is laterally delimited by two flanks 20 a, 20 b (FIG. 3 b). Asvisible in particular in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the intermediate element 20is connected to the bottom by a first hinge 23 of the hinge withattached hinge pin type, forming a first axis of articulation A₁. Thishinge is located on the edge 21 of the intermediate element. Formed onthe edge 22 is a second hinge 24 of the same type, forming a second axisof articulation A₂. This second hinge 24 connects the intermediateelement 2 to the lid 4. Thus, the hinging of the lid via theintermediate element to the bottom is provided by a double hingestructure, the axes of which are parallel.

At one end, the opposite end to the end carrying the clasp 2 b, thebottom forms a cutout 5 (FIGS. 2 b and 6) in which the intermediateelement 20 is placed. Likewise, a similar cutout 7 is provided at oneend of the lid (see FIGS. 3 a and 7) and is capable of housing theintermediate element 20 in the display position corresponding to thewide-open position (FIGS. 2 a and 2 b).

To keep the lid in the position depicted in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b withrespect to the bottom of the case, locking means C are provided. Asillustrated in particular in FIG. 3 b, the intermediate element 20comprises two pips C, located on its lateral flanks 20 a and 20 b. Thesepips C are capable of collaborating with recesses B₁ made in lateralwalls 7 a, 7 b of the lid 4. The catching recesses B₁ are capable,reversibly, of accommodating the pips C, in which they are held byfriction. Similarly, the cutout 5 in the bottom 2 comprises two catchingmeans B₂, located on the lateral walls 5 a, 5 b of the cutout 5. Thecatching means B₂ are configured to accommodate the pips C, particularlyirreversibly, at the time the case is first closed, as will be detailedlater on.

Configuring the case in the wide-open position as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2 b makes it possible to position the lid under the bottom, sothat the top side 41 of the lid 4 faces the underside 25 of the bottom2. In this position, the case 1 is in the display position, open to anangle of 360°, with respect to the position of the case when closed.

In the display position illustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the case canbe displayed at sales outlets, in such a way to make the productpackaged in the compartment 2 a visible. This position also allows thecase to be packaged in a transparent blister. This has the advantagethat the product is protected, while at the same time allowing theconsumer to choose the desired shade of product without being forced toopen the case. The case thus packaged occupies a minimum amount ofspace.

When the case is packaged in a blister, once the case has beenunwrapped, it is therefore in the wide-open position open at 360° (FIGS.2 a and 2 b). In order to be able to use the case, the user pivots thelid with respect to the bottom (in the direction of the arrow cc markedin FIG. 2 a). While the lid 4 is being pivoted from the display positionillustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, it passes, in succession, through thepositions shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b then 4 a and 4 b to the closedposition illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b. During the pivoting throughabout 300°, the pips C disengage from the catching recesses B₁. At thesame time, the intermediate element 20 pivots out of the cutout 7 of thelid. During this pivoting movement, the intermediate element 20 movescloser to the cutout 5 in the bottom.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 6, the pips C disengage from thecatching recesses B₁ of the lid and move closer to the catching recessesB₂ in the bottom (FIG. 7). The pips C then engage in the catchingrecesses B₂. Advantageously, this engaging takes place irreversibly.Thus, the first axis A₁ becomes inoperative, for good.

In order to open and close the case, with a view to using it for makeup,the user performs a pivoting movement only about the axis A₂, through anangle α₂ (FIG. 1 a).

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b depict the case in the closed position, allowing theproduct P to be kept sheltered from the outside, or alternativelyallowing the case to be carried about in a handbag.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b illustrate another embodiment, whereby a case 101consists essentially of two elements 102, 104. By comparison with thefirst embodiment, parts which are identical or perform a similarfunction, carry the reference numerals of the first embodiment,increased by 100.

By comparison with the first embodiment, the case 101 differs in thatthe bottom 102 is moulded as one with the intermediate element 120, froman appropriate material. Its configuration and its operation are similarto the case 1 and these will be described again only briefly.

The intermediate element 120 is connected to the bottom 102 by a filmhinge 123 forming a first axis of articulation A₁. This film hingebecomes inoperative after the first time the case is closed, asdescribed previously with respect to the case 1 in the first embodiment.The hinge 124 is of the same type as the one described earlier andtherefore requires no more detailed description.

The structure of the case 101 has the advantage that it is possible, forproducing the bottom and the intermediate element, to choose a firsteconomically advantageous material, for example polypropylene. Thismaterial allows the production of the film hinge 123. Because this filmhinge 123 is located on the bottom 102 of the case, possible whiteningof the hinge is not very visible.

As for the lid, advantageously a second plastic material is chosen, thisone being capable of receiving special decoration or lacquering. This isimportant, because the lid is the most visible and valuable part of amakeup case. The second material is chosen, for example, from ureaformaldehyde, acrylobutadiene-styrene (ABS), polystyrene-acrylonitrile(SAN), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylic glasses and polystyrene, etc.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference was made to somepreferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously, variations can bemade thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention asclaimed hereinafter.

1. A case, comprising: a bottom; a lid pivotable with respect to the bottom so as to be positioned underneath the bottom; an intermediate element, wherein the bottom is hinged about a first axis with respect to the intermediate element and the intermediate element is hinged with respect to the lid about a second axis; and locking means for locking the lid with respect to the intermediate element when the intermediate element pivots with respect to the bottom about the first axis and for locking the bottom with respect to the intermediate element when the intermediate element pivots with respect to the lid about the second axis.
 2. The case according to claim 1, wherein the locking means are carried by the intermediate element and are selectively engageable with complementary first catching means carried by the bottom and with second catching means carried by the lid.
 3. The case according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate element has first and second longitudinal edges, the first axis being located near the first edge of the intermediate element and the second axis being located near the second edge opposite the first edge.
 4. The case according to claim 3, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis.
 5. The case according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first axis and the second axis comprises a hinge with an attached hinge pin.
 6. The case according to claim 5, wherein the bottom and the intermediate element are connected by a film hinge, and wherein the lid is connected to the intermediate element by the hinge with the attached hinge pin.
 7. The case according to claim 1, wherein the lid is made of a material chosen from urea formaldehyde, acrylobutadiene-styrene, polystyrene-acrylonitrile, polyoxymethylene, acrylic glass, and polystyrene.
 8. The case according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprise at least one pip located on at least one lateral portion of the intermediate element, the pip being shaped to selectively engage a corresponding first recess in a portion of the bottom and a corresponding second recess in a portion of the lid.
 9. The case according to claim 1, wherein locking of the bottom with respect to the intermediate element is irreversible.
 10. The case according to claim 1, further comprising a receptacle in the bottom delimiting at least one compartment configured to contain at least one product.
 11. The case according to claim 1, further comprising means for reversibly locking the lid in a closed position on the bottom.
 12. The case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one product contained in the case, wherein the product is a friable product.
 13. The case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cosmetic product contained in the case.
 14. The case according to claim 13, wherein the cosmetic product is a makeup product.
 15. The case according to claim 13, wherein the cosmetic product is friable.
 16. A case, comprising: a bottom having a first surface and a second surface; an intermediate element pivotably connected to the bottom along a first axis; a lid pivotably connected to the intermediate element along a second axis, wherein the lid is pivotable with respect to the bottom between a first position, in which the lid is closer to the first surface of the bottom than to the second surface of the bottom, and a second position, in which the lid is closer to the second surface of the bottom than to the first surface of the bottom; and locking means for locking the lid with respect to the intermediate element when the lid is in the first position, and for locking the bottom with respect to the intermediate element when the lid is in the second position.
 17. The case according to claim 16, wherein the bottom is pivotally connected to the intermediate element via a first hinge and the lid is pivotally connected to the intermediate element via a second hinge.
 18. The case according to claim 17, wherein the first hinge comprises one of a hinge with an attached hinge pin and a film hinge.
 19. The case according to claim 16, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis.
 20. The case according to claim 16, wherein the locking means are disposed on the intermediate element.
 21. The case according to claim 20, wherein the locking means are located between the first axis and the second axis.
 22. The case according to claim 20, wherein the locking means comprise at least one projection selectively engageable with a respective recess on the bottom and a respective recess on the lid.
 23. The case according to claim 16, wherein locking of the bottom with respect to the intermediate element is irreversible.
 24. The case according to claim 16, wherein the lid is made of a material chosen from urea formaldehyde, acrylobutadiene-styrene, polystyrene-acrylonitrile, polyoxymethylene, acrylic glass, and polystyrene.
 25. The case according to claim 16, wherein the bottom further comprises a receptacle delimiting at least one compartment configured to contain at least one product.
 26. The case according to claim 25, further comprising at least one product contained in the case, wherein the at least one product is a cosmetic product.
 27. The case according to claim 16, further comprising means for reversibly locking the lid in the second position.
 28. A case, comprising: a bottom; a lid pivotable with respect to the bottom so as to be positioned underneath the bottom; an intermediate element, wherein the bottom is hinged about a first axis with respect to the intermediate element and the intermediate element is hinged with respect to the lid about a second axis; and a locking member configured to lock the lid with respect to the intermediate element when the intermediate element pivots with respect to the bottom about the first axis, the locking member also being configured to lock the bottom with respect to the intermediate element when the intermediate element pivots with respect to the lid about the second axis.
 29. A case, comprising: a bottom having a first surface and a second surface; an intermediate element pivotably connected to the bottom along a first axis; a lid pivotably connected to the intermediate element along a second axis, wherein the lid is pivotable with respect to the bottom between a first position, in which the lid is closer to the first surface of the bottom than to the second surface of the bottom, and a second position, in which the lid is closer to the second surface of the bottom than to the first surface of the bottom; and a locking member configured to lock the lid with respect to the intermediate element when the lid is in the first position, the locking member also being configured to lock the bottom with respect to the intermediate element when the lid is in the second position. 